Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 111 Part 1.djvu/173

 PUBLIC LAW 105-17-JUNE 4, 1997 111 STAT. 149 through which deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals can better understand the reahties of their environment; and "(C) providing wholesome and rewarding experiences that deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may share. "SEC. 682. PARENT TRAIMNG AND INFORMATION CENTERS. 20 USC 1482 "(a) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.— The Secretary may make grants to, and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with, parent organizations to support parent training and information centers to carry out activities under this section. "(b) REQUIRED ACTIVITIES.— Each parent training and information center that receives assistance under this section shall— "(1) provide training and information that meets the training and information needs of parents of children with disabilities living in the area served by the center, particularly underserved parents and parents of children who may be inappropriately identified; "(2) assist parents to understand the availability of, and how to effectively use, procedural safeguards under this Act, including encouraging the use, and explaining the benefits, of alternative methods of dispute resolution, such as the mediation process described in section 615(e); "(3) serve the parents of infants, toddlers, and children with the full rsinge of disabilities; "(4) assist parents to— "(A) better understand the nature of their children's disabilities and their educational and developmental needs; "(B) communicate effectively with personnel responsible for providing special education, early intervention, and related services; "(C) participate in decisionmaking processes and the development of individualized education programs under part B and individualized family service plans under part C; "(D) obtain appropriate information about the range of options, programs, services, and resources available to assist children with disabilities and their families; "(E) understand the provisions of this Act for the education of, and the provision of early intervention services to, children with disabilities; and "(F) participate in school reform activities; "(5) in States where the State elects to contract with the parent training and information center, contract with State educational agencies to provide, consistent with subparagraphs (B) and (D) of section 615(e)(2), individuals who meet with parents to explain the mediation process to them; "(6) network with appropriate clearinghouses, including organizations conducting national dissemination activities under section 685(d), and with other national, State, and local organizations and agencies, such as protection and advocacy agencies, that serve parents and families of children with the full range of disabilities; and "(7) annually report to the Secretary on— Reports. "(A) the number of parents to whom it provided information and training in the most recently concluded fiscal year; and

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